Chapter 197: Xiao Mo Goes to the Banquet

Xiao Mo wasn’t having much luck. On the day of the banquet, it happened to snow, and even by noon, the banquet hadn’t started yet. He hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning, and he was already quite hungry.

No matter how much his mother and Aunt Lu tried to persuade him to eat, he refused, insisting they should save food for the family.

Mother Xu suggested putting a pancake in his pocket for later, but he declined that as well.

The brothers sitting with him were also feeling hungry. They had all agreed not to eat breakfast so they could enjoy a bigger meal at noon.

Da Chui rubbed his belly and asked, “Xiao Wang, why don’t you go ask your parents when the banquet will start? We’re all starving here.”

Xiao Wang was also feeling extremely hungry and prepared to go over and ask, but Xiao Mo stopped him. “Brothers, we are here as guests. It’s up to the hosts to decide. It wouldn’t be good to rush them. If you’re really starving, just tighten your belts.”

The other children, upon hearing his words, all thought it made sense.

The adults at the nearby table also heard their conversation and, seeing the children standing up to tighten their belts, couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

One after another, everyone in the room turned to look at the table of children, laughing.

After the meal, Grandpa Qi sat there and chatted with his old friend, while Xiao Mo also played with his brothers for a while.

As the snow continued to fall heavily, the two prepared to return to the cattle shed early. On the way, Xiao Mo asked Grandpa Qi, “Grandpa Qi, are you full?”

“I’m full! Are you full, Xiao Mo?” Grandpa asked with a smile.

Xiao Mo patted his little belly and laughed proudly. “I’m full too, Grandpa! That dish was really delicious. I ate so much I’m stuffed. This meal can last me the whole day. You and I can eat for fifty cents a day; it’s a good deal.”

Seeing him like this, Grandpa Qi teased him on purpose. “Xiao Mo, it’s one yuan. I also gave them fifty cents.”

“Oh dear, Grandpa Qi! We’re family, so one gift is enough. Why didn’t you consult me before giving it? Sigh, if I had known you were giving fifty cents, I would have only given twenty cents!”

He sighed and, before Grandpa Qi could speak, continued, “Sigh, it’s done now. They worked hard to host the meal, so they should make a little profit.

Besides, I ate quite a bit today, so it’s not too much of a loss. I can always invite them back when I get married.”

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Qi shook his head and chuckled. By the time they returned to the cattle shed, Xiao Mo was still sighing.

Father Xu and Uncle Lu were there cleaning cow dung. Seeing him return from the meal looking dispirited, they smiled and asked, “Xiao Mo, what’s wrong? Didn’t you eat enough at the meal?”

Xiao Mo glanced at the two and sighed sadly, “Dad, Uncle Lu, today I went to the meal with Grandpa Qi, and we gave two gifts—one yuan!”

The two exchanged glances upon hearing this, both realizing they needed to have a serious talk with the boy; otherwise, he might really turn into a miser.

After finishing cleaning the cow dung, the adults called him into the house.

His dad asked, “Xiao Mo, do you think it was a loss to send two gifts when you went to the meal with Grandpa Qi today?”

“Dad, of course it was a loss! Grandpa Qi and I are family; how can we send two gifts?” Xiao Mo replied, as if it were obvious.

Father Xu continued, “We all feel that Grandpa Qi is family to us, but others don’t know that. Xiao Wang’s grandpa is an old friend of Grandpa Qi. When others invite him to a banquet, shouldn’t he send a gift?”

Xiao Mo nodded and said, “Right! Of course, we need to send a gift. We can’t eat someone else’s food for free.”

“Then, you and Xiao Wang are brothers. If Xiao Wang invites you to his house for a wedding banquet and his grandma also calls you, as Xiao Wang’s friend, don’t you think you should also send a gift when you go to his house for the wedding?”

“Of course I should send one! I can’t just go to my brother’s house and eat and drink for free; that wouldn’t be right. Besides, both Xiao Wang’s grandma and mom are pretty good to me.” Xiao Mo had a look that said he wouldn’t let his brother lose out.

His dad nodded and smiled. “You understand the reasoning, so do you think there’s anything wrong with you and Grandpa Qi each sending fifty cents?”

Xiao Mo was taken aback for a moment and sat there deep in thought.

Uncle Lu smiled and said, “Xiao Mo, you are a smart and good child, but sometimes, relationships between people shouldn’t be calculated so precisely.

When Xiao Wang and his grandma invite you to a meal, it’s sincere. Even if you don’t send a gift or only give twenty cents, I don’t think they would mind.

On the other hand, how much you give is your intention. If you go with the mindset of not wanting to lose out, I think you should reflect on that.

Also, this morning, your mom and Aunt Lu prepared food for you to eat before you went. Yet you insisted on saving space in your stomach to eat more later. As a young man, isn’t that a bit petty?”

Xiao Mo sat there, feeling very ashamed after hearing what the two had said. He felt he had let down his brother Xiao Wang, as well as Xiao Wang’s grandma and mom.

“Dad, Uncle Lu, I understand now. I won’t do this again in the future.”

His dad patted his shoulder and smiled. “Xiao Mo, it’s good that you understand. Although money is important, some things cannot be measured with money, like human emotions and one’s conscience.”

With tears in his eyes, Xiao Mo nodded vigorously. “Dad, Uncle Lu, I understand.”